Latest news with #Jere
DW
27-05-2025
- Health
- DW
Malawi-Israel health workers deal: Who benefits the most? – DW – 05/26/2025
Malawi churns out more nurses from college than it can employ. A new deal to send health workers to Israel promises jobs and relief, but will it drain Malawi's already fragile health care system? With high unemployment among health care professionals, an agreement between Malawi and Israel will see the Southern African nation send trained nurses and midwives to Israeli health institutions. The Malawian government says the bilateral deal, signed in April, will benefit health care workers by giving them a job, new skills and a way to support their families through remittances. This offers a chance for unemployed Malawian nurses, like Christina Jere, who is enthusiastic about the prospect. "I would definitely go. I have been qualified for three years and I haven't even been called for an interview," Jere told DW. "Malawi is my home, but why would I stay in a country where I have spent so much on college fees without a job? Elizabeth Gondwe—another trained nurse—has similar aspirations. "I've stayed here for a long time without being employed. I'm so excited because here in Malawi I was unable to help my family," Gondwe explained to DW, adding that she eventually envisions returning to Malawi with more skills and experience. Criticism of the Malawi-Israel health care workers' deal Not everyone is thrilled about the idea of sending skilled health care workers abroad. A similar deal agreed in 2023, in which Malawians went to work in Israel's agricultural sector, caused uproar amid reports of exploitation , poor working conditions, and Malawian workers being deported for breaching their work contracts. Critics also say Malawi's health system is under-resourced and cannot afford to lose trained personnel. Malawi's nurse-to-patient ratio is about one-third below that of the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended ratio of at least one nurse per 1,000 patients. While the deal has been seen as a win for the Malawian government, Malawian observers have also questioned the government's motives, seeing this as a political move, rather than taking the interests of Malawian citizens into account . Malawian healthcare workers could soon be working in hospitals such as this one in Tel Aviv Image: polk430/Depositphotos/IMAGO In addition, Malawi's policies regarding Israel break with the existing trends of other countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Notably, South Africa has accused the Israeli leadership of war crimes in Gaza during Israel's war on Hamas. In contrast, Malawi opened an embassy in Tel Aviv in 2024 and is seen by Israel as a strong ally on the continent. Lastly, watching the Malawian government invest in training health care workers only to see them encouraged to move abroad, taking their skills and knowledge with them, has stirred debate in Malawi. However, Mercy Mwalilino, a practicing midwife in Malawi, told DW that some nurses are earning as little as 3,453 Malawian Kwacha ($2, €1,75) a day. According to Mwalilino, only a quarter of qualified nurses have found employment within Malawi's health care system. How will Malawian health care workers fare in Israel? Concerns have also been raised about working conditions in Israel and whether proper protections are in place for the Malawian workers. The previous initiative, which saw Malawian agricultural workers go to Israel, was stopped after the workers complained of difficult working conditions, left their jobs to work in the informal sector, or sought asylum in Israel. In contrast, this bilateral deal for the nurses was driven by private labor recruiters. Malawi: Ending period poverty using banana fiber pads To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video For Mercy Mwalilino, the bilateral agreement between Israel and Malawi gives a sense of security to the deal. "The Malawi government is finalizing this deal in conjunction with the National Organization of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi, which is responsible for looking into all those conditions for the nurses before sending them there," she told DW, adding that those willing to go can earn $200 to $300 a month. When asked about the possibility of Malawians potentially working in a dangerous part of Israel threatened by war, Mwalilino admitted this was a concern. "Those in dilemma because of the security risks will not be forced to go." Will Malawian health care workers return? Other potential candidates, like Esther Malanga, are more circumspect about working in the Middle Eastern country. "Adapting to a new language, culture and work environment could be a challenge, and could impact my personal life. Initially I would consider working in Israel for one to two years." Malawian officials justified the policy by saying nurses and midwives would be upskilled in Israel before coming back when their contracts are over. For Malanga, that would be an attractive option. Malawi strikes deal with Israel to send nurses To play this audio please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 audio "Going to Israel would help me improve patient care and learn about different health systems, approaches and technologies that I could bring back to Malawi," she told DW. However, others like Christina Jere are not sure about returning. "Going to Israel is something exciting, and I don't think I would come back." Josephine Mahachi contributed to this article Edited by: Chrispin Mwakideu
DW
26-05-2025
- Health
- DW
Malawi-Israel healthworkers deal: Who benefits the most? – DW – 05/26/2025
Malawi churns out more nurses from college than it can employ. A new deal to send health workers to Israel promises jobs and relief, but will it drain an already fragile healthcare system? With high unemployment among healthcare professionals, an agreement between Malawi andIsrael will see the Southern African nation send trained nurses and midwivesto Israeli health institutions. The Malawian government says the bilateral deal, signed in April, will benefit healthcare workers by giving them a job, new skills and help them support their families through remittances. Several Malawian nurses, like Christina Jere, are excited about the prospect of working in Israel. "I would definitely go. I have been qualified for three years and I haven't even been called for an interview," Jere told DW. "Malawi is my home, but why would I stay in a country where I have spent so much on college fees without a job? Elizabeth Gondwe—another trained nurse—has similar aspirations. "I've stayed for a long time without being employed. I'm so excited because here in Malawi I was unable to help my family," Gondwe explained to DW, adding that she eventually envisions returning to Malawi with more skills and experience. Criticism of the Malawi-Israel healthcare workers' deal Not everyone is thrilled about the idea of sending skilled healthcare workers abroad. A similar deal agreed in 2023, in which Malawians went to work in Israel's agricultural sector, caused uproar amid reports of exploitation , poor working conditions, and Malawian workers being deported for breaching their work contracts. Critics also say Malawi's health system is under-resourcedand cannot afford to lose trained personnel. Malawi's nurse-to-patient ratio is about one-third below that of the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended ratio of at least one nurse per 1,000 patients. While the deal has been seen as a win for the Malawian government, Malawian observers have also questioned the government's motives, seeing this as a political move, rather than taking the interests of Malawian citizens into account . Malawian healthcare workers could soon be working in hospitals such as this one in Tel Aviv Image: polk430/Depositphotos/IMAGO In addition, Malawi's policies regarding Israel break with the existing trends of other countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Notably, South Africa has accused the Israeli leadership of war crimes in Gaza during Israel's war on Hamas. In contrast, Malawi opened an embassy in Tel Aviv in 2024 and is seen by Israel as a strong ally on the continent. Lastly, watching the Malawian government invest in training healthcare workers only to see them encouraged to move abroad, taking their skills and knowledge with them, has stirred debate in Malawi. However, Mercy Mwalilino, a practicing midwife in Malawi, told DW that some nurses are earning as little as 3,453 Malawian Kwacha ($2, €1,75) a day. According to Mwalilino, only a quarter of qualified nurses have found employment within Malawi's healthcare system. How will Malawian healthcare workers fare in Israel? Concerns have also been raised about working conditions in Israel and whether proper protections are in place for the Malawian workers. The previous initiative, which saw Malawian agricultural workers go to Israel, was stopped after the workers complained of difficult working conditions, left their jobs to work in the informal sector, or sought asylum in Israel. In contrast, this bilateral deal for the nurses was driven by private labor recruiters. Malawi: Ending period poverty using banana fiber pads To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video For Mercy Mwalilino, the bilateral agreement between Israel and Malawi gives a sense of security to the deal. "The Malawi government is finalizing this deal in conjunction with the National Organization of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi, which is responsible into looking into all those conditions for the nurses before sending them there," she told DW, adding that those willing to go can earn $200 to $300 a month. When asked about the possibility of Malawians potentially working in a dangerous part of Israel threatened by war, Mwalilino admitted this was a concern. "Those in dilemma because of the security risks will not be forced to go." Will Malawian healthcare workers return? Other potential candidates, like Esther Malanga, are more circumspect about working in the Middle Eastern country. "Adapting to a new language, culture and work environment could be a challenge, and could impact my personal life. Initially I would consider working in Israel for one to two years." Malawian officials justified the policy by saying nurses and midwives would be upskilled in Israel before coming back when their contracts are over. For Malanga, that would be an attractive option. "Going to Israel would help me improve patient care and learn about different health systems, approaches and technologies that I could bring back to Malawi," she told DW. However, others like Christina Jere are not sure about returning. "Going to Israel is something exciting, and I don't think I would come back." Malawi strikes deal with Israel to send nurses To play this audio please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 audio Josephine Mahachi contributed to this article Edited by: Chrispin Mwakideu
Axios
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Social media influencer and teacher Jere Chang's best day in Atlanta
A perfect Atlanta day for Jere Chang, a self-described "lesbian Mr. Rogers" whose TikTok skits and Instagram clips have won over millions of parents and kids, involves a lot of Beltline. Here's how the elementary school teacher, who lives in Kirkwood with her wife and kids, would spend the ideal 24 hours in Atlanta. State of play: Chang, who was recently included among Atlanta Magazine's 21 reasons to love Atlanta, is writing a book about her career journey to help other educators thrive in the profession. Wake up: The Sugar Hill, Georgia, native starts her day with a small, hot oat milk latte and raspberry cheese Danish from the PERC coffee shop near the Kirkwood home she shares with her wife and kids. Morning: The family hops on the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail and pedals to the Thomas Taylor Memorial Skate Park in Old Fourth Ward for people watching and mural admiring. Maybe beforehand they'll include a visit to Bessie Branham, Walker or McKoy parks. Lunch: Krog Street Market is an easy option "because we can choose from pizza to sushi to whatever," Chang said. If they're sticking closer to Kirkwood — almost everything Chang could need is within a short walk of her house, she says — they'll go somewhere with a patio like Elmyriachi or Universal Joint in Oakhurst. Afternoon: After ice cream at Jeni's, the family posts up on the benches outside of the Patagonia store. "My wife and I sit there forever and just watch people walk by," she says. Yes, but: Jere and her wife have been Atlanta Falcons season ticket holders since before they had kids. "If I really got a wild hair up my butt? We'll get on the train, head to the Benz, and watch the Falcons. Hopefully we win." Dinner: Jere and the family will play it close to home, like Bell Street Burritos, Mix'D Up or Glide Pizza. She also has a soft spot for Urban Pie in Kirkwood. Jere's wife is the foodie in the family, Chang says, and enjoys leading expeditions to Buford Highway to sample dishes at Lee's Bakery, Canton House and more. Evening: In the evenings, Chang and family head to downtown Decatur to spend time in the Square and listen to street musicians. "When I say music, it's like somebody with a guitar and amp, we'll just go out there on the grass and kind of hang out." Night: Once the kids are put to bed, Jere spends an hour watching easy-to-follow TV shows — think crime dramas or medical series — to unwind (and reply to social media comments). "I usually get about an hour a night that's just like mine. And so I'll just kind of watch something easy to watch… or just something really low key."
